Physical Texture Research Articles

Insight into highly efficient removal of sulfonic acid pollutants by a series of newly-synthesized resins from aqueous media: Physical & chemical adsorption

Abstract In this study, the adsorption behaviors of a series of systematically designed resins with different physical textures and chemical characteristics were investigated towards sulfonic acid dyes and the adsorption mechanism involving physical and chemical adsorption was elaborately explored. The newly synthesized resins include the hyper-crosslinked resin series which possesses the largest physical adsorption capacity, aminated resin series which has the largest uploading of amino groups and aminated crosslinked resin series which was functionalized with amino groups after the optimization of physical structure. The aminated crosslinked resin AC-2-DETA displayed the best adsorption performance (325.63 mg/g) towards BA and the adsorption capacities increased by 93.0% compared to commercial resin H-103 and the superiority in adsorption is applicable to other dyes with diverse characteristics. Detailed investigation on chemical-physical adsorption interaction based on N2 adsorption-desorption study revealed the significance of associating chemical modification with structure optimization. The former provided hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interacting sites and the latter regulated porous structure and BET surface area. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics were also studied to gain further understanding for the adsorption behaviors.

Slowing the Kinetics of Alumina Sol-Gel Chemistry for Controlled Catalyst Overcoating and Improved Catalyst Stability and Selectivity.

Catalyst overcoating is an emerging approach to engineer surface functionalities on supported metal catalyst and improve catalyst selectivity and durability. Alumina deposition on high surface area material by sol-gel chemistry is traditionally difficult to control due to the fast hydrolysis kinetics of aluminum-alkoxide precursors. Here, sol-gel chemistry methods are adapted to slow down these kinetics and deposit nanometer-scale alumina overcoats. The alumina overcoats are comparable in conformality and thickness control to overcoats prepared by atomic layer deposition even on high surface area substrates. The strategy relies on regulating the hydrolysis/condensation kinetics of Al(s BuO)3 by either adding a chelating agent or using nonhydrolytic sol-gel chemistry. These two approaches produce overcoats with similar chemical properties but distinct physical textures. With chelation chemistry, a mild method compatible with supported base metal catalysts, a conformal yet porous overcoat leads to a highly sintering-resistant Cu catalyst for liquid-phase furfural hydrogenation. With the nonhydrolytic sol-gel route, a denser Al2 O3 overcoat can be deposited to create a high density of Lewis acid-metal interface sites over Pt on mesoporous silica. The resulting material has a substantially increased hydrodeoxygenation activity for the conversion of lignin-derived 4-propylguaiacol into propylcyclohexane with up to 87% selectivity.

DEVELOPMENT OF ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM FROM PUERARIA CANDOLLEI VAR. MIRIFICA (AIRY SHAW AND SUVAT.) NIYOMDHAM, “KWAO KRUA KAO” FOR MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: The aim of this study was to incorporate Peraria candollei var. mirifica extract into the cream, to evaluate the physical properties and to conduct the skin tests in participants.Methods: Pueraria candollei var. mirifica was extracted with 95% ethanol to obtain crude pueraria extract (PCM). Crude PCM was developed as an anti-wrinkle PCM cream (B) intended for menopausal women. PCM cream was evaluated for stability of pH and viscosity, primary skin irritation, wrinkle reduction and moisturizing as well as customer satisfaction. Cream base (A) and cream purchased from the market (C) were used for comparison. ANOVA post hoc Turkey was used to analyze the variance (p0.05) of the mean comparisons between groups by cluster analysis. Results: The PCM cream appeared as white color, pH was 6.80, and viscosity was 4.069±0.01 Pa. s, as well as physical characteristic and texture, were acceptable and no irritating reaction. PCM cream exhibited a similar level of moisturizer as cream A and C. The PCM cream revealed an ability to decrease the wrinkle surface and wrinkle volume after applied for 7 and 14 d that shows the activity of this product performed from the PCM extract. Satisfaction of PCM cream showed good acceptance.Conclusion: These results suggest that PCM cream has the ability to reduce skin wrinkles. It is a good product for postmenopausal women and may also be of benefit for the general population for protection skin wrinkle.

Short‐Fluorinated iCVD Coatings for Nonwetting Fabrics

AbstractWater repellency is often generated by taking advantage of surface textures and low surface energy coatings such as the one afforded by long perfluorinated side‐chains polymers. However, new regulations are phasing out these polymers because of their related health and safety hazard concerns. This is a particular challenge for water‐repellent fabrics as consumers expect safer products with stable performance and new functionalities. In this work, an approach is developed that allows for iCVD deposition of durable, conformal short fluorinated polymers stabilized with a crosslinking agent. As a result, high hydrophobicity and low liquid adhesion are achieved simultaneously while maintaining initial substrate breathability. It is explained why this polymeric coating—1H,1H‐perfluorooctyl methacrylate co divinylbenzene—exhibits remarkable hydrophobic properties amidst a wide range of other possible candidates. In order to further enhance the dynamic water repellency performance, the chemical treatment is combined with physical texturing—obtained through microsandblasting, a process particularly suitable for fabrics—thus making this combined approach a suitable candidate to meet the industrial needs. This work paves the way for the development of environmentally friendly, highly repellent coatings for large volume production and the application of roll‐to‐roll coating techniques, and multifunctionalization of fabrics and wearable devices.

A particle-size regulated approach to producing high strength gasification-coke by blending a larger proportion of long flame coal

To produce a qualified gasification-coke by blending a larger proportion of low-rank coal, the effects of blending ratio, particle size distribution, and maceral components on the coke strength were studied, and a new coking mechanism was put forward in terms of the physical texture. The results show that the influence of coal particle size varies with the different cohesiveness of coals. Fat coal (FC) with a smaller size gets a better performance on the coke strength, while a larger size is needed for gas coal (GC), and the optimum size of long flame coal (Shenfu coal, SFC) varied with its blending ratio. SFC and GC should be crushed coarsely (2–3 mm surpasses 40%) to act as the framework with the less external surface in the viscous embedded state. FC should be crushed finely (<0.2 mm) to form flowing metaplast that being filled uniformly in the gap between these coarse particles, thus reinforcing the embedded state and leading to a high coke strength with a less blend of FC (25 wt%). Moreover, liptinite enriched in the coarse particles of GC and SFC improves the cohesiveness of blended coal moderately. A qualified gasification-coke (M25 > 90%, CRI > 50%, CSR > 35%) can be obtained by blending >40 wt% SFC with this new coking mechanism.

Stereoscopic Capture in Projection Mapping

This paper describes an investigation conducted to evaluate whether the projection mapping causes stereoscopic capture, by which human observers perceive a physical surface as deformed according to a projected virtual surface. We developed a stereoscopic projection mapping method to overlay a 3-D virtual surface onto a physical surface. Through a psychophysical experiment, we found that the stereoscopic projection mapping caused stereoscopic capture with several surface materials. To allow observers to perceive stereoscopic capture on unsuitable surface materials, we propose to add salient features on projected images to draw observer focus to them rather than physical textures. The results of another psychophysical experiment demonstrate that the proposed method works effectively.

Experimental study of condensation heat transfer on hydrophobic vertical tube

Condensation heat transfer on surfaces can be enhanced by altering the surface topography. Surface modification technology can promote dropwise condensation which can exhibit higher heat transfer rate than filmwise condensation. This paper presents experimental data on the condensation of steam on vertical bare copper tubes and lead coated copper tubes for degree of sub-cooling in the range 0.5 °C ≤ ΔT ≤ 20 °C. The chemical texture of the tube surface was altered by coating with lead of thickness 10 µm and the physical texture of the surface was transformed by providing four grooves each having equal depths 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm and 0.30 mm. The condensation heat transfer characteristics of the tube surface is explained based on contact angle hysteresis and sliding velocity of the droplet. The results of the study reveal that for the tubes tested the average condensation heat transfer coefficient decreases with increase in degree of sub-cooling. It is also found that for copper tubes, providing grooves aids condensation heat transfer for the range of sub-cooling. However, for lead coated copper tube with/without grooves the heat transfer performance at ΔT < 2 °C shows marked difference in contrast to ΔT > 2 °C.

Steady state analysis of structured liquids in a penetrometer

A penetrometer pushes a solid object into a product and measures the resistance against deformation or flow. Many factories of semi-liquid/semi-solid foods or pastes use penetrometry devices for quality control, typically measuring the resistance force at a single penetration velocity. Furthermore, the physical texture characterization obtained by penetrometry analysis has been found to correlate well with sensory attributes. Boujlel and Coussot (2012) have shown that a simple penetrometer can also be used to obtain relevant rheological parameters, by combining data from different penetration velocities or from the relaxation of the signal after the probe has stopped inside the product. In the present paper their approach is extended to a grid-shaped probe, which is suitable for semi-liquid products like mayonnaise. We have tested its use for our purposes for various fluids, from Newtonian to thixotropic viscoplastic fluids. These fluids were also characterized by conventional rheometry for comparison. The probe of the penetrometer was a grid comprising of woven metal cylinders. The probe was simplified in a CFD simulation which provided a correlation from which the rheological parameters could be extracted. The viscosity of Newtonian fluids was determined satisfactorily from these correlations. Likewise the flow index of shear thinning liquids could be computed relatively well. The yield stress of this set of selected materials was better determined from the flow curves obtained by the penetrometer than by the relaxation method. In general, the analysis presented in this work confirms that useful rheological information can be obtained from penetrometry.

Micro-textured films for reducing microbial colonization in a clinical setting

Transmission of microbes in the hospital environment occurs frequently through human interactions with high-touch surfaces such as patient beds and over-bed tables. Although stringent cleaning routines are implemented as a preventive measure to minimize transmission of microbes, it is desirable to have high-touch surfaces made of antimicrobial materials. Physical texturing of solid surfaces offers a non-bactericidal approach to control the colonization of such surfaces by microbes. To investigate the efficacy of micro-textured polycarbonate films in reducing bacterial load on over-bed tables in a hospital ward. Two different micro-patterns were fabricated on polycarbonate film via a thermal imprinting method. Micro-textured films were then mounted on patient over-bed tables in a general hospital ward and the bacterial load monitored over 24h. Total colony counts, which represented on-specific bacterial loading, and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus counts were monitored at each time-point. Over a period of 24h, both micro-textured surfaces showed consistently lower bacterial load as compared to the unpatterned polycarbonate and the bare over-bed table laminate. This study supports the findings of earlier laboratory-scale studies that microscale physical texturing can reduce bacterial colonization on a solid surface. Results of the current study suggest that micro-textured surfaces could provide a viable method for reducing microbial contamination of high-touch surfaces in hospitals.

Beyond the subjective experience of colour: An experimental case study of grapheme–texture synesthesia

ABSTRACTThis study was a case investigation of grapheme–texture synestheste TH, a female who subjectively reported experiencing a visual association between grapheme and colour/texture. First, we validated the existence of a synesthetic association in an objective manner. Involuntarily elicited experience is a major hallmark that is common to different types of synesthetes. Our results indicated interference between physical and synesthetic texture, suggesting the involuntary occurrence of synesthetic textural experience. We analysed the behavioural measures using the EZ diffusion model. The result suggested that TH’s synesthetic experience was dissociable from that of briefly trained associative processing of non-synesthetes. Second, we investigated how the synesthetic experience of colour and texture dimensions was bound in the visual representation. We found that the interference effects of colour and texture were not independent. This suggested that in the elicited experience, the colour and texture features construct an integrated representation.

Physical Texturing for Superhydrophobic Polymeric Surfaces: A Design Perspective

Surface wetting on the textured surface is classically explained by the theories of Cassie-Baxter or Wenzel. However, in recent years, an increasing number of complex surface topographies with superhydrophobic properties have been achieved without prediction or simulation using these theories. One example is biomimetic surfaces. In many instances, theories were used to explain surface properties found in nature but have not led to or predicted the complex topographies. Although new wetting theories continue to emerge, there is not yet a set of design rules to guide the selection of surface topographies to achieve superhydrophobicity. By grouping known surface topographies into common geometrical descriptions and length scale, this paper suggests a set of surface topography classifications to provide selection guidelines for engineering superhydrophobic surfaces. Two key outcomes emerged from the design analysis: first, categorization of frequently reported surface patterns shows that there exists a set of commonly used descriptions among diverse designs; second, the degree of hydrophobicity improvement within a class of topography design can be used to predict the limit of improvement in superhydrophobicity for a given material. The presentation of topography descriptors by categories of design and performance may serve as a prologue to an eventually complete set of design guidelines for superhydrophobic performance.

The Effects of Implementing the Rural Guide Plan on the Skeletal Development of Rural Settlements (Case Study: Somarin District in Ardabil County)

The Effects of Implementing the Rural Guide Plan on the Skeletal Development of Rural Settlements (Case Study: Somarin District in Ardabil County)

Dynamic masquerade with morphing three-dimensional skin in cuttlefish.

Masquerade is a defence tactic in which a prey resembles an inedible or inanimate object thus causing predators to misclassify it. Most masquerade colour patterns are static although some species adopt postures or behaviours to enhance the effect. Dynamic masquerade in which the colour pattern can be changed is rare. Here we report a two-step sensory process that enables an additional novel capability known only in cuttlefish and octopus: morphing three-dimensional physical skin texture that further enhances the optical illusions created by coloured skin patterns. Our experimental design incorporated sequential sensory processes: addition of a three-dimensional rock to the testing arena, which attracted the cuttlefish to settle next to it; then visual processing by the cuttlefish of physical textures on the rock to guide expression of the skin papillae, which can range from fully relaxed (smooth skin) to fully expressed (bumpy skin). When a uniformly white smooth rock was presented, cuttlefish moved to the rock and deployed a uniform body pattern with mostly smooth skin. When a rock with small-scale fragments of contrasting shells was presented, the cuttlefish deployed mottled body patterns with strong papillae expression. These robust and reversible responses indicate a sophisticated visual sensorimotor system for dynamic masquerade.

Soil quality assessment under shifting cultivation and forests in Northeastern Himalaya of India

ABSTRACTThe study aimed to evaluate the impact of shifting cultivation on soil quality, in Wokha district of Nagaland, using weighted soil quality index (SQIw). Four forest sites and three sites under shifting cultivation were selected and physical (texture and bulk density) and chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, available N, P, K, exchangeable cations) parameters were analyzed. The SQIw was calculated on a minimum data set selected by principal component analysis, followed by varimax rotation algorithm and through subsequent normalization of the parameters using the linear scoring function. Significant (P < 0.05) variations in SQIw were found across the depth of the soil and land use according to severity of factors associated with land use. Three different classes of soil quality were also identified: high quality (SQIw > 0.70) for two forest soils (FS1 and FS2) and land under shifting cultivation (JH1), low quality (SQIw < 0.50), only to FS3, and intermediate quality (0.50 < SQI < 0.70) in all other soils. The approach used in this study proved to be sensitive to evaluate the soil quality, however further research is required to better understand the sustainability of shifting cultivation by including more physical, biological and chemical indicators.

Flakes product supplemented with sunflower and dry residues of wild oregano

This paper investigates the effects of simultaneous addition of sunflower (3, 6 or 9 g/100 g of sample) and dry residue of wild oregano (0.5 or 1 of sample), on the physical texture and chemical properties of corn flakes to obtain new products with altered nutritional properties. The chemometric analysis pointed at the versatile beneficial contributions of sunflower in corn flakes enriched with dry residue of wild oregano enabling the optimization of corn flakes formula. The presented data point that addition of milled sunflower in investigated corn flakes products improved nutritive properties while addition of dry residue of wild oregano improved physical characteristics of corn flakes products. Regarding quality (sample CF11, score value of 0.59) maximum scores have been obtained with the addition of 6 g/100 g of sunflower and 1 g/100 g of dry residue of wild oregano per 100 g of sample for corn flakes formulation. Production of corn flakes with addition of wild oregano residues contributed to the food waste valorisation in the food industry.

Investigation of coal components of Late Permian different ranks bark coal using AFM and Micro-FTIR

The structural characteristics of barkinite for different coal ranks were studied by both atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with microscopy (Micro-FTIR). The surface morphological texture differences between barkinite and other macerals (sporinite and vitrinite) were characterized using AFM images. We found that both chemical structure and physical texture were rank-dependent parameters. With increase of vitrinite reflectance (Ro), the morphological structure of barkinite evolves from fibrous to irregular network structure, and the orientation arrangement seems enhanced. Based on our experimental data, the AFM image feature of barkinite is similar to that of vitrinite when Ro is with a minimum value of 1.12% or beyond. In chemical structure, the contents of aliphatic functional group of barkinite decrease whereas that of aromatic group increase. The values of CH2/CH3 ratios also decrease with increase in coal rank. The different morphological textures between barkinite and others macerals were characterized with AFM examination. The surface roughness degree of these three samples was found to be in sequence of vitrinite<barkinite<sporinite.

Morphology of the Wind Catchers in the Laft Port

&lt;p&gt;Discussing morphology in one of the traditional architectural element of Iran without analyzing its elements and recognizing its components, forms and colors would be an incomplete matter. The geometry of this architecture is the result of its fundamental components and elements not being formed in the designer’s mind all of a sudden in a constructive and unified process; rather it is the result of a gradual practical and constructive method. Its components including physical and geometrical features exert significant effect on the end result of the overall volume. The formation process in nature is often carried out by the help of a structure or some structures. Like nature, formation of volumes in Iran’s traditional architecture follows the same rules. The morphologies of the traditional architecture as well as the modern architecture are fundamentally different with each other from this perspective. This means that the former is accomplished through motion of basic, constructive and standardized elements in space while the latter is realized through a mental and abstract process. Nevertheless, recognizing the physical texture of traditional architecture has a considerable effect on its morphology. Physical, chemical, and geometrical bonds maintain the natural forms in the nature and organized them, but traditional architecture follows those natural rules which are mostly in physical and geometrical bonds because its constructional materials are mainly natural elements and less synthetic. A traditional architect is in search for the harmony rules of the standardized constructional components (masonry materials) so that he can find out a relatively stable equilibrium against the applied forces. These rules have become available for architects through experience and observance of the nature and also the introductory geometrical analyses and eventually, his attempt to counter the force of gravity is reflected in the general form of the work. This attempt in the form of the used shapes is perceivable by the viewer of this architectural work and based on this perception, an aesthetical relation is created between the observer and the work. Wind Catcher has been among the historical elements of Iranian traditional architecture in the hot and dry as well as hot and humid regions of this country which consist of a tower higher than elsewhere in houses and being located on the roofs and water storages to fulfill the role of controlling wind flow and conducting it into the inner space of the houses. Existence of various decorative forms and natural colors used in the facades of the wind catchers, the necessity to approach and analyze them, also maintenance and usage of these elements as well as making them known to the researchers at the present time led to the formation of this study being conducted through a field research by attending the context, having interviews with the locals and analyzing and drawing 50 samples of the present wind catchers to meet the main purpose of the study more accurately which was “analyzing the function and recognizing the motifs and colors” used in the wind catchers. Studies on recognition of the motifs and colors used in the wind catchers of the Sothern Iran (Laft) have not been done so far and only a book entitled “Architecture of Laft Port” published by “Tehran University” Publications in 2001 is available. Some general studies have also been conducted sporadically by Iranian and Arab researchers. Therefore, having conducted this study toward completing the studies about this port, in the first part entitled “An Overview on Wind Catcher and its Function”, we have dealt with location of wind catcher in the house plans. In the second part, i.e., “Morphology of the Wind Catchers”, their constructional elements and components and also classification of their motifs-that are divided in two natural and geometrical groups were analyzed. Finally, the results indicated that since this Port is located adjacent to the Persian Gulf and surrounded by nature, most of the adornments used in the wind catchers are abstractly inspired from nature and sea and their colors are made of vernacular materials.&lt;/p&gt;

Physico‐geochemical and mineral composition of neem tree soils and relation to organic properties

The Neem tree, the oil of which has a long history of pesticide, fertilizer and medicinal use in India, has been studied extensively for its organic compounds. Here we present a physical, mineralogical and geochemical database resulting from the analyses of two Neem soil profiles (epipedons) in India. Neem tree derivatives are used in the manufacture of a variety of products, from anti‐bacterial drugs and insecticides to fertilizers and animal feeds. A preliminary geochemical and mineralogical analysis of Neem soils is made to explore the potential for chemical links between Neem tree derivatives and soils. Physical soil characteristics, including colour, texture and clay mineralogy, suggest the two pedons formed under different hydrological regimes, and hence, are products of different leaching environments, one well‐drained site, the other poorly drained. Geochemically, the two Neem soils exhibit similarities, with elevated concentrations of Th and rare earth elements. These elements are of interest because of their association with phosphates, especially monazite and apatite, and the potential link to fertilizer derivatives. Higher concentrations of trace elements in the soils may be linked to nutritional derivatives and to cell growth in the Neem tree.

Studies on the Seed Germination Changes after Thermal Decontamination of Crude Oil Polluted Soils

Abstract Given that the world population will reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, removing all the causes that result in reduced yields of cereals and technical plants is vital. It is known that soil affects plants through its physical (texture, structure, density), chemical (nutrients content, pH) and biological characteristics (microbiological activity, soil fertility). Soils are the key environmental tank to pollutants, storage and persistence of pollutants in soil being dependent on a number of factors: the exchange of air, the burying of pollutants and their biodegradability. This paper aims to emphasize the germination of plants after a polluted soil sample was decontaminated by a thermal method. The soil sample was polluted with 5% oil. The soil sample was characterized by capillarity, being established the maximum height of the moistened layer of 7.6 cm and 14.1 cm for oil, but also permeability of 218.5 cm3/h for water and 70.83 cm3/h for oil. Knowing the average permeability, it can be determined the corresponding retention capacity: 873.14 kg/m3 for water and 776 kg/m3 for oil. Restoration of the germination potential for the analyzed soil also determined the presence of nutrients required before and after remediation. The analyzed nutrients were nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The soil sample had no nitrogen, but phosphorus and potassium were in medium concentration. The soil sample that was polluted with oil and decontaminated by a thermal method, has nitrogen, the potassium content does not change, but the phosphorus content increases.

Espectros Vis-NIR do Solo e Fuzzy K-Médias Aplicados na Delimitação de Unidades de Mapeamento de Solos em Topossequências

RESUMO O conhecimento dos solos é cada vez mais importante para que o uso dele seja realizado corretamente na agropecuária, no crescimento urbano, na conservação dos recursos naturais, entre outros. Entretanto, verifica-se carência de profissionais qualificados para a caracterização e os mapeamentos pedológicos, particularmente em escalas de maior detalhamento. Essa carência, aliada aos avanços das ferramentas computacionais e do sensoriamento remoto, promoveu o surgimento do Mapeamento Digital de Solos (MDS), que busca auxiliar e agilizar as atividades de levantamento pedológico. Assim, este trabalho objetivou desenvolver uma metodologia de delimitaçao de unidades de solos em topossequências por meio do comportamento espectral dos solos no comprimento de onda do Visível-Infravermelho Próximo (Vis-NIR). A metodologia espectral consistiu na obtenção das curvas espectrais dos solos por meio do espectrorradiômetro FieldSpecPro e da redução do número de informações espectrais por meio da análise de Componentes Principais, seguida de agrupamento das amostras mediante método fuzzy k-médias. Foram selecionadas cinco topossequências com pontos equidistantes de 30 m para caracterizar as classes de solos e amostragens. Foram descritas oito classes de solos distintas, que tiveram caracterização detalhada e classificação em perfis pedológicos. No restante dos pontos, a caracterização das classes de solos foi feita com base na classificação dos solos realizada nos perfis pedológicos, com coleta de amostras por meio de tradagens nas profundidades de 0,00-0,20 e 0,80-1,00 m, perfazendo o total de 162 amostras ao longo das cinco topossequências. As amostras foram analisadas pelas metodologias convencional e espectral, para que os resultados pudessem ser comparados e avaliados. Dessa forma, foram realizadas análises morfológicas, físicas (textura) e químicas nas amostras de solo. Das cinco topossequências estudadas, os resultados foram satisfatoriamente semelhantes; alguns solos não foram perfeitamente individualizados pela metodologia espectral, em razão da grande semelhança em seus comportamentos espectrais, como demonstrado pelo Latossolo Vermelho Férrico e Nitossolo Vermelho Férrico. A metodologia espectral foi capaz de diferenciar solos com resposta espectral distinta e estabelecer limites nas topossequências, apresentando grande potencial para ser implementada em levantamentos pedológicos.