Viscosity Temperature Research Articles

Multiscale structural characterization, physicochemical properties, and in vitro digestibility of pea starch produced by two different processes

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDry grinding pea starch (DG) and wet grinding pea starch (WG) are two primary industrial starches with significantly different structures, physicochemical properties, and application potentials. To date, there have been no detailed studies examining these differences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to (i) investigate the effects of dry grinding and wet grinding on the structure of pea starch, and (ii) examine how the structure of pea starch influences its physicochemical properties and digestibility.FindingsThe crystallinity (35.75%), medium and long amylopectin (AP) chains (22.00%), swelling power (17.23 g/g), gelatinization temperature (76.4°C), and gelatinization viscosity (5585.0 cP) of WG were higher than those of DG (24.29%, 20.36%, 16.90 g/g, 75.9°C, and 5196.3 cP). In contrast, the average particle size (APS) (24.31 μm), resistant starch content (45.80%), and gel hardness (509.70 g) were lower than those of DG (25.68 μm, 52.13%, and 617.53 g).ConclusionsSignificant structural differences exist between WG and DG, with APS and AP chain length distribution being the primary factors contributing to the distinct physicochemical characteristics of the two pea starches.Significance and NoveltyThis is the first detailed comparison of the properties of commercial pea starch produced by two different processes. The results provide theoretical insights that underpin the use of pea starch in functional foods and promote the development of new starch‐based products.

Temperature control and energy-saving efficiency evaluation of low-energy warm-mix asphalt mixtures with composite additives

Traditional warm-mix asphalt (WMA) faces challenges in reducing mixing temperatures to achieve lower energy consumption. To address this challenge and meet global environmental goals, this study designs various composite warm-mix additives using commonly used additives and their optimal dosages. The viscosity reduction mechanisms of asphalt and asphalt mixtures are examined using viscosity–temperature and air voids-temperature curves. Regression equations for viscosity and voids as a function of temperature are developed to determine the optimal mixing temperature of WMA. The study integrates thermodynamic equilibrium equations with field data to quantify the energy consumption in producing composite WMA mixtures. The results reveal that WMA significantly reduces mixing temperatures, making it suitable for low-energy asphalt mixtures. The use of various composite additives enhances the mechanical properties of asphalt pavements. Optimal mixing temperatures are set as 60–100 °C for WMA in warm-paving applications, and 20–60 °C for WMA in cold-paving applications. Viscosity ranges from 0.17 to 0.28 Pa⋅s, with air voids varying from 6%–7% for WMA in warm-paving applications and 8%–9% for WMA in cold-paving applications. Controlling the mixing temperature improves energy-saving efficiency, achieving reductions from 47.1% to 97.6%. The study recommends the use of WMA (Sasobit/Evotherm/DAT) for warm-paving applications and WMA (Sasobit/Diesel oil) for cold-paving applications. This study provides valuable insights for developing energy-efficient and high-performance asphalt pavements.

Terminalia catappa Kernel Flour Characterization as a Functional and Bioactive Ingredient for Cookies Formulation

Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) represents an underutilized resource with potential applications in functional food development. This study investigated the technological properties and bioactive characteristics of T. catappa kernel flour and its application in cookie formulation. The research examined the techno-functional properties, pasting behavior, and bioactive profile of T. catappa flour and its blends with different sweeteners (erythritol and cane sugar at 5% and 15% concentrations). Cookies were formulated using optimized ingredients, and their quality parameters were evaluated through physical, chemical, and sensory analyses. T. catappa flour demonstrated significant water holding capacity (4.48 g H2O/g DM) and notable antioxidant activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (DPPH: 1.95–3.35 mg TE/g DM). The addition of sweeteners influenced pasting properties, with higher concentrations generally reducing peak viscosity and pasting temperature. Developed cookies exhibited stable water activity (0.294–0.320) over one month of storage and contained substantial dietary fiber (5.018 g/100 g). Sensory evaluation revealed superior acceptability for thicker (10 mm) cookies, particularly in texture and appearance attributes. This study establishes T. catappa kernel flour as a promising functional ingredient for gluten-free bakery applications, offering both technological functionality and bioactive properties suitable for health-conscious product development.

Experimental Study on Enhanced Oil Recovery of Shallow Super-Heavy Oil in the Late Stage of the Multi-Cycle Huff and Puff Process

The shallow, thin super-heavy oil reservoir demonstrates certain characteristics, such as shallow reservoir depths, low-formation temperature, and high crude oil viscosity at reservoir temperatures. In the current production process, the central area of P601 is undergoing high-frequency huff and puff operations, facing certain problems such as decreasing production, low recovery rates, and rapid depletion of formation pressure. Through physical simulation experiments, the various elements of HDNS-enhanced oil recovery technology were analyzed. Nitrogen plus an oil-soluble viscosity reducer can improve the thermal recovery and development effect of super-heavy oil. With the addition of the viscosity-reducing slug, the recovery rate of steam flooding was 58.61%, which was 23.32% higher than that of pure steam flooding; after adding the 0.8 PV nitrogen slug, the recovery rate increased to 76.48%. With the increased nitrogen injection dosage, the water breakthrough time was extended, the water cut decreased, and the recovery rate increased. Nitrogen also plays a role in profile control and plugging within the reservoir; this function can effectively increase the heating range, increase steam sweep efficiency, and reduce water cut. So, the synergistic effects of steam, nitrogen, and viscosity-reducing agents are good. This technology enhances the development of shallow-layer heavy oil reservoirs, and subsequent development technologies are being compared and studied to ensure the sustainable development of super-heavy oil reservoirs.

Effect of boron oxide and basicity on viscosity and crystallization onset temperature of СаО–SiO<sub>2</sub>–B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–12%Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–3%Аl<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>–8%МgO slag system

The rapid growth of demand for stainless steel and, accordingly, its production, which occurred in the second half of the 20th century and continues till today, makes it necessary to conduct studies of the properties of oxide systems that will contribute to the improvement of metallurgical production technologies for such steel. Therefore, in this paper, using the method of simplex grids for experimental planning and vibration viscometry, a study was conducted of the effect of basicity and boron oxide content on the viscosity and crystallization onset temperature of slags of the СаО–SiO2–B2O3–12%Cr2O3–3%Аl2O3–8%МgO oxide system formed during the reduction period of the production of low-carbon stainless steel by the argon-oxygen decarbonization (AOD) process, which is currently the main method for producing corrosion-resistant steel. The introduction of boron oxide into AOD-slags is a possible solution to the problem of instability of the physical properties of slags during smelting, caused by the volatility of fluorspar fluorides, traditionally used as a flux, and compliance with increasingly stringent environmental requirements by eliminating the formation of toxic fluorine compounds. Based on the results of experimental studies of the viscosity of slags of the studied oxide system depending on the chemical composition and temperature, approximating mathematical models in the form of a reduced third-degree polynomial are constructed. Graphically, the results of mathematical modeling are presented in the form of “composition – property” diagrams, which allow quantitatively determining the effect of temperature and chemical composition of the slags under study on viscosity and their composition on the crystallization onset temperature. It is noted that at 1600 and 1650°C, an increase in the boron oxide content in the slag from 3.0 to 6.0% has a favorable effect on the fluidity of the formed slags in the basicity range of 1.0-2.5. For example, an increase in the boron oxide concentration from 3.0 to 6.0% ensures a decrease in the viscosity of the slags from 2.0 to 0.5 Pa s at a temperature of 1600°C and from 0.4 to 0.3 Pa s at a temperature of 1650°C in the region of increased basicity up to 2.0-2.5.

Determining the Compaction Temperature of Warm-Mix Anti-Rutting Asphalt Mixture

In order to study the effect of a warm-mix agent on the compaction characteristics of an anti-rutting asphalt mixture, this study compared the compaction temperature of an anti-rutting asphalt mixture with different warm-mix-agent contents from two aspects: asphalt viscosity and asphalt mixture voids. Based on the rheological properties of asphalt, the optimal content of the anti-rutting agent was first determined as 6% by the weight of asphalt. Four warm-mix-agent contents of 0% (control group), 1%, 2%, and 3% were designed. The viscosity–temperature curve of the warm-mix anti-rutting modified asphalt was obtained by the Brookfield viscosity tests. After that, AC-20 standard Marshall specimens were prepared to conduct a series of consecutive temperature compaction tests. The voids were calculated based on the bulk density of the specimen measured by the saturated surface-dry method. Industrial Computerized Tomography (CT) was employed to further quantify the internal voids. Two voids–compaction temperature curves were constructed based on the saturated surface-dry and CT results, respectively. The comparative results show that significant differences exist between the compaction temperatures obtained from the three curves. The viscosity–temperature curve shows that when the warm-mix agent is increased from 0% to 3%, the compaction temperature only declines about 7.9%. However, the voids–compaction temperature curves from saturated surface-dry and CT, respectively, indicate a temperature decrease of 22.7% and 19.2%. This is because a warm-mix agent will interact with asphalt, resulting in a decrease in asphalt intermolecular adsorption, whereas an anti-rutting agent mixed with asphalt will increase the degree of cross-linking and aggregation between asphalt molecules. Both additions have a certain impact on the viscosity of the asphalt binder; thus the traditional method of using the asphalt viscosity–temperature curve to determine the compaction temperature of warm-mix anti-rutting asphalt mixture has become ineffective. It is suggested to use the equal voids method to determine the compaction temperature of warm-mix anti-rutting asphalt mixtures.

Transfer learning for accurate description of atomic transport in Al-Cu melts.

Machine learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) provide an optimal balance between accuracy and computational efficiency and allow studying problems that are hardly solvable by traditional methods. For metallic alloys, MLIPs are typically developed based on density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation functional. However, recent studies have shown that this standard protocol can be inaccurate for calculating the transport properties or phase diagrams of some metallic alloys. Thus, optimization of the choice of exchange-correlation functional and specific calculation parameters is needed. In this study, we address this issue for Al-Cu alloys, in which standard Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE)-based MLIPs cannot accurately calculate the viscosity and melting temperatures at Cu-rich compositions. We have built MLIPs based on different exchange-correlation functionals, including meta-GGA, using a transfer learning strategy, which allows us to reduce the amount of training data by an order of magnitude compared to a standard approach. We show that r2SCAN- and PBEsol-based MLIPs provide much better accuracy in describing thermodynamic and transport properties of Al-Cu alloys. In particular, r2SCAN-based deep machine learning potential allows us to quantitatively reproduce the concentration dependence of dynamic viscosity. Our findings contribute to the development of MLIPs that provide quantum chemical accuracy, which is one of the most challenging problems in modern computational materials science.

Numerical simulation of magnetically driven nanomaterial rotating flow configured by convective-radiative cone with chemical reaction

Indeed, nanoliquids have acquired substantial consideration in heat transference field because of their inimitable thermal attributes and favorable application likelihoods. In contrast to orthodox liquids, the haphazard movement of nanoparticles within nanoliquid strengthens fluid turbulence, accomplishes superior thermal effectiveness and declines thermal resistance. Nanoliquids have ample utilization, for illustration, solar energy, electronic chips, automotive radiators and heat exchangers etc. This communication reports chemically reactive electro-magnetized nanomaterial dissipative flow confined by rotating cone. Flow expressions include thermo-solutal buoyancy, varying viscosity and magneto-hydrodynamics. Radiative heat, thermophoresis, viscous dissipation, Brownian diffusion, thermal source and first order chemical reaction are pondered to model transport expressions. Relevant variables are introduced to transfigure partial differential mathematical expressions to mathematical ordinary ones. Numerical outcomes for non-dimensional mathematical expressions are reported via bvp4c algorithm in MATLAB. The comprehensive results featuring dimensionless quantities are explored through graphs and arithmetic representations. It is evaluated that escalating values of variable viscosity, Prandtl number and unsteady parameter decline temperature but temperature is improved as a consequence of progressive variation in radiation parameter, Eckert number, thermophoresis parameter, heat generating and Brownian diffusive variables. The study is relevant to cooling industry, electroconductive, thermal collector and nano-materials processing.

Starch digestion and physiochemical properties of a newly developed rice variety with low glycemic index

This study aimed to clarify the starch digestion characteristics and related physicochemical properties of the newly developed low-GI rice variety, Ditangliangyou 335 (D335), in comparison with two widely grown rice varieties, Xiangzaoxian 45 (X45) and Zhongzao 39 (Z39). The results showed that D335 had an active digestion duration (286 min) that was 101–190 % shorter, a glucose production rate (1.06 mg g−1 min−1) that was 57–73 % slower, and a total glucose production (303 mg g−1) that was 11–19 % less than X45 and Z39. These differences were attributable to the distinct starch physicochemical properties, including amylose content, amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, starch granule size, amylopectin chain length, and starch molar mass, as well as the different pasting properties of rice flour, such as pasting temperature and breakdown viscosity. These findings reveal the starch digestion characteristics and the key physicochemical properties that determine these characteristics in the low-GI rice variety D335.

Effects of low temperature on near-nozzle breakup and droplet size distribution in airblast kerosene spray

Atomization of low-temperature fuel is encountered in extreme operating conditions of liquid propulsion systems such as cold start and high-altitude relight for aeroengines. Fuel temperature has a great impact on airblast spray characteristics by influencing fuel viscosity and thus the gas–liquid interaction, which raises the demand to clarify the temperature-dependent transition in near-nozzle breakup behavior and the corresponding droplet size distribution. A liquid-centered swirl coaxial injector is tested on the low-temperature swirl spray and combustion test rig at Zhejiang University, using 25 kHz high-speed digital off-axis holography. RP-3 aviation kerosene is atomized under ignition conditions at temperatures of 233, 253, and 301 K, fuel pressures of 0.03 and 0.69 MPa, and air pressure ranging from 0 to 4.0 kPa. Time-resolved near-nozzle dynamics suggest four types of elementary breakup processes: wavy-sheet breakup, pulsating breakup, membrane-type breakup, and nonaxisymmetric Rayleigh breakup. Each process alternately dominates the near field as fuel Reynolds number (Ref) and aerodynamic Weber number (Weg) decrease, corresponding to four primary breakup modes. A mode classification plot is summarized. Spray structures show an extended breakup length and reduced spray cone angle as fuel temperature (Tf) decreases. Increasing air pressure (Pg) promotes spray expansion at 0.03 MPa, but contracts spray cone at 0.69 MPa. Cross-sectional Sauter mean diameter (SMD) distribution indicates a solid-cone spray at 0.03 MPa and a hollow cone spray at 0.69 MPa. Lowering Tf will rise the SMD in the spray center at 0.03 MPa and transform the toroidal SMD distribution at 0.69 MPa into a solid one. Finally, a temperature-related SMD model is derived considering the exponential viscosity–temperature relationship, and a good fit with R2 > 0.95 is achieved. This research aims to deepen the understanding of the effects of low temperature on the transition of near-nozzle atomization characteristics for airblast sprays. Both spray visualization and SMD results provide reference for numerical simulations and near-nozzle spray modeling.

Study of Li2O reduction in mould slag for continuous casting of low-carbon steel slab

The addition of Li2O increases production costs for continuous casting, despite its enhancement of the melting and flow properties of mould slag. Initially, laboratory research focused on assessing the individual impacts of Li2O, F, Na2O and Al2O3 on the viscosity and melting temperature of the slag, using a basicity of 0.95. Subsequently, four stages of industrial testing were conducted to optimise the slag, evaluating parameters such as temperature and friction force curves of the mould copper plate thermocouple, steel slag consumption per ton and strand surface quality. The optimised slag achieved a basicity of 0.98, a viscosity of 0.29 Pa·s and a melting temperature of 1115 °C, meeting all performance requirements for low-carbon steel mould slag. Compared to the original flux, the mass percentage of Li2O decreased significantly from 1.54 to 0 wt-%, while Na2O increased from 2.36 to 7.35 wt-%, and Al2O3 decreased from 7.28 to 3.49 wt-%. The operation of the optimised flux remained stable, with smooth fluctuations observed in the mould copper plate thermocouple temperature and friction force curves. These research findings hold significant reference and practical value for further development and application.

4D Printing of Ultra‐High Performance Shape Memory Polymer for Space Applications

Developing thermoplastic polyimide (TPI), capable of handling space conditions, through 4D printing is challenging due to its high melting temperature and inherent viscosity. This study presents 4D printing of TPI for shape memory investigation under repetitive cycles for the first time, exploring its potential for self‐deployable hinges in space devices. 4D‐printed TPI exhibits outstanding shape memory effect (SME) with shape fixity (Rf) up to 100% and shape recovery (Rr) of 100% in first cycle. Rf is noted to be increasing up to third cycle and then fixed to 100% up to tenth cycle, while Rr shows a decreasing trend in subsequent cycle with a drop of 37% in tenth cycle. Moreover, it exhibits extremely high glass‐transition temperature, Tg = 263.10 °C, degradation temperature, Td = 520 °C, and storage modulus of 1600 MPa. Among existing high‐performance (HP) and conventional shape memory polymers (SMPs), 3D‐printed TPI exhibits superior performance. Tg of the TPI is found to be 66.52%, 107.16%, and 62.41%, higher than existing HP‐SMPs, polyether ether ketone (Tg = 158 °C), polyamide (Tg = 127 °C), and polyether ketone ketone (Tg = 162 °C), respectively. This investigation reveals a novel characteristic, the SME, of 4D‐printed TPI with ultra‐high Tg and Td, demonstrating suitability for self‐deployable hinges, contributing to materials engineering and 4D printing.

Control of the parameters of thermosetting binders directly during the molding of products made of polymer composite materials

For aviation binders at the moment there is no necessary methodological base on the basis of which it is possible to control the conditions of their curing by viscosity, reaction rate and glass transition temperature in real time. The paper presents a method of control of thermosetting binder parameters directly during the molding process. The epoxy binder VSE-59 was studied. A mathematical model of the relationship between the frequency maximum parameter of the imaginary component of the electrical impedance and the degree of curing is given, the results of dielectric analysis are compared with laboratory methods (differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry). It is shown that the convergence of the values of the degree of conversion is high. Rheological and dielectric analyses revealed a direct correlation between electrical and rheological properties in the range of injection temperatures. Equations were determined and coefficients were experimentally selected to describe the correlation between viscosity and glass transition temperature and dielectric parameters, which provides the possibility of their control in real time. The obtained results can be used to create a hardware and software base, which makes it possible to control the state of the binder at each moment of the process of forming products from polymer composite materials, as well as to carry out optimization to eliminate the emergence of conditions of uneven polymerization. Realization of the detailed control of the binder state in different parts of the product will allow to carry out verification of calculations, to predict and avoid the occurrence of warping and, accordingly, to increase the quality of composite products.

Trialkylsulfonium Thiocyanate Ionic Liquids: Investigation on Temperature‐Dependent Ignition Behavior of Green Hypergolic Propellants

AbstractThree trialkylsulfonium thiocyanate ionic liquids (ILs) are presented as fuel candidates for novel green hypergolic propellants. The physical and chemical properties such as density, viscosity, melting point and decomposition temperature as well as the enthalpy of formation of the ILs were determined. Further, the research focused on the potential of the ILs as fuel components for hypergolic propellants with highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer. For this, the theoretical maximum specific impulses of the propellants were calculated with NASA CEA. To evaluate the ignition delay times of the hypergolic propellants, drop tests were carried out. These were conducted not only at ambient conditions but also at lower levels of fuel temperature. It was found that all three propellant combinations still ignited reliably at temperature levels down to −25°C, however, the average ignition delay increased at lower temperatures. Overall, not only three promising hypergolic fuels were identified, but also important insights into the temperature‐dependent ignition behavior of hypergolic ionic liquid‐based propellants with thiocyanate anions were obtained.

Performance evaluation of bio-oil and high rubber content modified asphalt: More effective waste utilization

In this study, the bio-oil was used to reduce the viscosity and preparation temperature of high content of rubber-modified asphalt. The high rubber content modified bio-asphalt (RMBA) was prepared, the rubber and bio-oil contents were 20 %-30 % and 5 %-15 % (mass ratio of neat asphalt), respectively. The viscosity, temperature sweep (TS), frequency sweep (FS), multi-stress creep recovery (MSCR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests were performed to assess the properties of RMBA. The Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Fluorescence microscopy (FM), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests were conducted to explore the microscopic morphology of RMBA. Besides, the economic analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) were assessed. Bio-oil contributed to the viscosity-reduction of the RMBA. When the rubber content was 30 %, the viscosity decreased by 48.16 % with a bio-oil content of 15 %. The temperature and frequency sensitivity of RMBA were lower than neat asphalt. Rubber improved the creep recovery and anti-rutting deformation behavior for bio-asphalt. The absorption peaks appeared at 1010 and 1038 cm−1, which represented the SO function group. The rubber did not absorb enough bio-oil for solubilization. This resulted in the functional group of SO appeared in 30 %+B-10 % and R-30 %+B-15 %. FM and SEM test results indicated that the rubber in RMBA exists in different states: undissolved rubber and dissolved rubber. The high content rubber could be partially dissolved in bio-asphalt and retained its elastic properties. The dissolved rubber particles exhibited a large crosslinked network structure. The raw material cost of RMBA decreased significantly with the rise of rubber and bio-oil contents. The reasonable application of waste rubber is beneficial to the alleviation of black pollution. The efficient application of rubber and bio-oil could contribute to the development of waste utilization and green transportation.

Spontaneous imbibition of unsaturated sandstone under different vertical temperature gradients: neutron radiography experiments and dynamic models

To elucidate the imbibition behavior of water in complex temperature and stress environments, spontaneous imbibition experiments were conducted on unsaturated matrix sandstones at different vertical temperature gradients by neutron radiography technology. Additionally, corresponding dynamic models of water imbibition in porous media were established. The research results reveal the phased characteristics of sandstone spontaneous imbibition and the influence of vertical temperature gradient on the evolution of wetting front. Specifically, the initial development speed of the wetting front increases with an increase in the vertical temperature gradient, indicating a direct relationship. However, the growth rate of the wetting front gradually slows down with increasing time, eventually reaching a saturated state. Model validation demonstrates that the traditional Washburn's law is still valid in isothermal conditions without temperature gradient (G=0). Further analysis indicates that the imbibition rate has a direct correlation with linear thermal expansion coefficient (α) and viscosity temperature coefficient (β) across various vertical temperature gradients, and an inverse correlation with surface tension temperature coefficient (γ). Furthermore, when the values of α, β, and γ fall below 0.001, their impact on the imbibition rate becomes negligible. The sensitivity of the imbibition rate to parameters γ, β, and α decreases in that order, with γ being the most sensitive, followed by β, and α being the least sensitive. Moreover, the relative importance of α, β, and γ dictates their specific influence on the imbibition rate, and a synergistic effect exists among these parameters, which collectively influence the water absorption behavior of sandstone.

Quantifying the impact of AGN feedback on the large-scale matter distribution using two- and three-point statistics

Abstract Feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) plays a critical role in shaping the matter distribution on scales comparable to and larger than individual galaxies. Upcoming surveys such as Euclid and LSST aim to precisely quantify the matter distribution on cosmological scales, making a detailed understanding of AGN feedback effects essential. Hydrodynamical simulations provide an informative framework for studying these effects, in particular by allowing us to vary the parameters that determine the strength of these feedback processes and, consequently, to predict their corresponding impact on the large-scale matter distribution. We use the EAGLE simulations to explore how changes in subgrid viscosity and AGN heating temperature affect the matter distribution, quantified via 2- and 3-point correlation functions, as well as higher order cumulants of the matter distribution. We find that varying viscosity has a small impact ($\approx 10~{{\%}}$) on scales larger than 1h−1 Mpc, while changes to the AGN heating temperature lead to substantial differences, with up to 70% variation in gas clustering on small scales (≲ 1h−1 Mpc). By examining the suppression of the power spectrum as a function of time, we identify the redshift range z = 1.5 − 1 as a key epoch where AGN feedback begins to dominate in these simulations. The 3-point function provides complementary insight to the more familiar 2-point statistics, and shows more pronounced variations between models on the scale of individual haloes. On the other hand, we find that effects on even larger scales are largely comparable.

Development of synergistic antifungal in situ gel of miconazole nitrate loaded microemulsion as a novel approach to treat vaginal candidiasis

Limited solubility is the main cause of the low local availability of anti-candidiasis drug, miconazole nitrate (MN). The study’s objective was to develop and characterize microemulsion (ME) based temperature-triggered in situ gel of MN for intravaginal administration to enhance local availability and antifungal activity. The solubility of MN was initially studied in different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. Then, pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to select the best ratio of various components. The ME formulations were characterized by thermodynamic study, droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, and in-vitro antifungal mean inhibition zone (MIZ). Selected MEs were incorporated into different in situ gel bases using a combination of two thermosensitive polymers (poloxamer (PLX) 407 and 188), with 0.6% of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M) and gellan gum (GG) as mucoadhesive polymer. ME-based gels (MG) were investigated for gelation temperature, gelation time, viscosity, spreadability, mucoadhesive strength, in vitro release profile, and MIZ test. Furthermore, the optimum MG was assessed for in vivo animal irritation test and FESEM investigation. Tea tree oil, lavender oil, tween 80, and propylene glycol (PG) were chosen for ME preparation for the optimal formulation; formulation ME7 and ME10 were chosen. After incorporation of the selected formulation into a mixture of P407 and P188 (18:2% w/w) with 0.6% mucoadhesive polymer, the resultant MG formulation (MG1) revealed optimum gelation temperature (33 ± 0.01℃) and appropriate viscosity with enhanced sustained release (98%) and retention through sheep vaginal mucosa, MG1 exhibited a better MIZ compared to the 2% MN gel formulation and the marketed MN product, and no rabbit vagina irritation. In conclusion, the miconazole nitrate-loaded MG-based formula sustained the duration of action and better antifungal activity than the marketed miconazole nitrate formulation.

The Association Between the Structure of the Fatty Chain in Amides and Their Lubricating Performance in Acrylonitrile‐Butadiene‐Styrene (ABS) Resins

ABSTRACTThe exploitation of efficient lubricants for ABS resins is widely recognized as beneficial for industrial production. Fatty diamides are typically applied as the lubricants for ABS resins; however, the connection between fatty chain structures and the lubricating properties is still vague. In this work, a range of ethylenediamine‐based amide lubricants (EDA‐Cn) with different fatty chain structures were successfully prepared and chemical structures were characterized in detail by the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. The rheological test results suggested that the complex viscosity and relaxation time were positively associated with the fatty chain lengths of EDA‐Cn. The dynamic mechanical analysis results confirmed that EDA‐Cn exhibited excellent compatibility with ABS resins. The lubricating effect of EDA‐Cn decreased with increasing fatty chain lengths, which was manifested by a higher glass transition temperature, and lower elongation at break of ABS resins. In comparison to EDA‐C22, the complex viscosity (angular frequency = 0.1 rad/s) and glass transition temperature of EDA‐C10 have decreased by 24.9% and 3.9%, respectively. The molecular dynamics simulations revealed the intrinsic mechanism of lubricant‐substrate interaction. The EDA‐Cn containing short fatty chain lengths reduced the interaction energy with the matrix, thereby promoting the diffusive movement of the chain segments, and resulted in the increase in the mean square displacement and improved flow properties. These findings provided sufficient theoretical basis for the rational design and preparation of lubricants for ABS resins.

Capturing non-equilibrium in hypersonic flows: Insights from a two-temperature model in polyatomic rarefied gases

The study utilizes a two-temperature model to analyze non-equilibrium in normal shocks within hypersonic flows in polyatomic rarefied gases. Derived from the extended second law of thermodynamics, this model separates translational and internal temperatures in polyatomic gases, providing a more accurate depiction of non-equilibrium gas flow compared to classical theories like the Navier–Stokes and Fourier (NSF) system. Notably, the analysis reveals that the two-temperature model incorporates an additional contribution to the heat flux due to the gradient of the dynamic temperature, resulting in improved accuracy, especially for high Mach numbers. Results show that the model gives satisfactory shock density and temperature profiles up to Mach 10, with very good agreement observed up to Mach 6.1 compared to the classical NSF model. We conduct an order of magnitude analysis on the dynamic temperature and heat flux gradients appearing in the new constitutive equation using the Mott-Smith method. This analysis highlights the impact of these terms on accurately modeling polyatomic gas behavior in high-speed flows. The effects of bulk viscosity and incoming temperature on shock profiles are also investigated, contributing to a better understanding of shock wave structures in polyatomic gases and their implications for hypersonic flow dynamics.