Ozone (O) is one of the most harmful and widespread air pollutants, affecting crop yield and plant health worldwide. There is evidence that O reduces the major limiting factor of photosynthesis, namely CO mesophyll conductance (g), but there is little quantitative information of O-caused changes in key leaf anatomical traits and their impact on g. We exposed two O-responsive clones of the economically important tree species Populus × canadensis Moench to 120 ppb O for 21 days.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDue to the high interest in the use of glass/epoxy laminates in aerospace applications, aviation, and as cryogenic tanks, it is crucial to understand the behavior of composites under challenging environmental conditions. Polymer composites are exposed to low temperatures, including cryogenic temperatures, which can lead to the initiation of microdamage. This paper investigates damage initiation/accumulation and its influence on the properties of cross-ply woven glass fiber epoxy composites at low temperatures compared to room temperature conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe CO2 diffusion conductance within the leaf mesophyll (gm) is considered a major limiting factor of photosynthesis. However, the effects of the major secondary air pollutant ozone (O3) on gm have been poorly investigated. Eight genotypes of the economically important tree species Populus × canadensis Moench were exposed to 120 ppb O3 for 21 d.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRegenerated cellulose fibers coated with copper via electroless plating process are investigated for their mechanical properties, molecular structure changes, and suitability for use in sensing applications. Mechanical properties are evaluated in terms of tensile stiffness and strength of fiber tows before, during and after the plating process. The effect of the treatment on the molecular structure of fibers is investigated by measuring their thermal stability with differential scanning calorimetry and obtaining Raman spectra of fibers at different stages of the treatment.
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