Self-Sustained Three-Dimensional Macroporous TiO-Graphene Photocatalyst for Sunlight Decolorization of Methyl Orange.

The development of highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysts has triggered increased attention due to their merit in effluent treatment through a chemically green approach. To this end, we present herein the synthesis and characterization of the TiO/3D-GF/Ni hybrid emphasizing the main structural and morphological properties and the photodegradation process of a highly resistant aromatic azo dye, methyl orange, under both UV light and simulated sunlight. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene was grown by the thermal CVD method on the nickel foam and subsequently coated with thin films of anatase employing the sol-gel method.

Radiation Processing of Styrene-isoprene-styrene/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blends.

The irradiation consequences on styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) blends are discussed starting from the oxidation initiation. Three characterization methods: chemiluminescence, differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR spectroscopy are applied. The differences that exist between the two components are revealed, when the oxidation rates of the inspected formulas depend on the blending proportion and the degradation conditions.

Design and Manufacturing of Equipment for Investigation of Low Frequency Bioimpedance.

The purpose of this study was to highlight a method of making equipment for the investigation of low frequency bioimpedance. A constant current with an average value of = 100 µA is injected into the human body via means of current injection electrodes, and the biological signal is taken from the electrodes of electric potential charged with the biopotentials generated by the human body. The resulting voltage, Δ is processed by the electronic conditioning system.

Experimental Study Regarding Long Range LiDAR Capabilities in Sensing Safety Distance for Vehicle Application.

The safety of vehicles is one of the major goals of driving automation. The safety distance is longer for rail vehicles such as trams because of the adherence limitations of the wheel-to-rail system. The major issues of fixed frontal sensing are fake target detection, blind spots related to rail slopes, curves, and random changes in the target's illumination or reflectivity.

The Effect of Copper Salts on Bioactive Compounds and Ultrastructure of Wheat Plants.

Abiotic stress agents, among them metal stress, can cause oxidative damage to plant cells. In defense, plants can increase the production of secondary metabolites in order to mitigate the harmful effects caused by them. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of two types of copper salts (CuSO and Cu(NO)), added in two different amounts in soil (150 mg/kg, respectively 300 mg/kg), on assimilating pigments, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity and the elemental composition of wheat.

On the Use of Oxidation Induction Time as a Kinetic Parameter for Condition Monitoring and Lifetime Evaluation under Ionizing Radiation Environments.

The durability of polymeric materials is closely linked to their degradation under specific operating conditions when different stressors-general or specific, such as high temperature, sunlight or ionizing radiation, solvents, or mechanical stresses-act simultaneously, causing degradation. In the case of electrical cables, the durability of the electrically insulating materials used in their construction is an important parameter to ensure their operational security. In this work, we studied the degradation state of various types of electrical insulating materials from cables used in particle acceleration systems under European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) conditions (e.

3D Graphene Foam by Chemical Vapor Deposition: Synthesis, Properties, and Energy-Related Applications.

In this review, we highlight recent advancements in 3D graphene foam synthesis by template-assisted chemical vapor deposition, as well as their potential energy storage and conversion applications. This method offers good control of the number of graphene layers and porosity, as well as continuous connection of the graphene sheets. The review covers all the substrate types, catalysts, and precursors used to synthesize 3D graphene by the CVD method, as well as their most viable energy-related applications.

The Effect of TiO Nanoparticles on the Composition and Ultrastructure of Wheat.

The present work aims to follow the influence of TiO nanoparticles (TiO NPs) on bioactive compounds, the elemental content of wheat, and on wheat leaves' ultrastructure. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The concentration of phenolic compounds, assimilation pigments, antioxidant capacity, elemental content, as well as the ultrastructural changes that may occur in the wheat plants grown in the presence or absence of TiO NPs were evaluated.

High-Efficiency Biocidal Solution Based on Radiochemically Synthesized Cu-Au Alloy Nanoparticles.

The use of nanotechnologies in the applied biomedical sciences can offer a new way to treat infections and disinfect surfaces, materials, and products contaminated with various types of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Cu-Au nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by an eco-friendly method that allowed the obtaining in a one-step process of size controlled, well dispersed, fully reduced, highly stable NPs at very mild conditions, using high energy ionizing radiations. The gamma irradiation was performed in an aqueous system of Cu/Au/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)/Ethylene Glycol.

Fe-N Co-Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce Cell Death in Human Lung Fibroblasts in a p53-Independent Manner.

The advancement of nanotechnology in the last decade has developed an abundance of novel and intriguing TiO-based nanomaterials that are widely used in many sectors, including industry (as a food additive and colorant in cosmetics, paints, plastics, and toothpaste) and biomedicine (photoelectrochemical biosensing, implant coatings, drug delivery, and new emerging antimicrobial agents). Therefore, the increased use of engineered nanomaterials in the industry has raised serious concern about human exposure and their unexpected cytotoxic effects. Since inhalation is considered the most relevant way of absorbing nanomaterials, different cell death mechanisms induced in MRC-5 lung fibroblasts, following the exposure to functionalized TiO NPs, were investigated.

Nanocarbon Type Xerogel Materials Designed for Water Desalination.

The relative performance of different porous solids in different applications is highly dependent on the internal pore structure of each material. Highly porous carbon materials can be prepared by evaporative drying and the pyrolysis of resorcinol-formaldehyde gels. By determining the correct synthesis parameters, the pore system of such materials can be reshaped.

New HfNbTaTiZr High-Entropy Alloy Coatings Produced by Electrospark Deposition with High Corrosion Resistance.

The aim of the present paper is to investigate an innovative high corrosion resistance coating realized by electrospark deposition. The coating material was fabricated from HfNbTaTiZr high-entropy alloy. HEA was produced by the mechanical alloying of Hf, Nb, Ta, Ti, and Zr high-purity powders in a planetary ball mill, achieving a good homogenization and a high alloying degree, followed by spark plasma sintering consolidation.

The Impact Assessment of CuO Nanoparticles on the Composition and Ultrastructure of L.

In the present study, the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) on bioactive compounds, the ultrastructural modifications which can occur, and elemental content of wheat were investigated. Changes in the wheat plants grown in presence or absence of CuO NPs were estimated. The application of CuO NPs decreased the amounts of chlorophylls and carotenoids and increased the amounts of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity.

Luminescence thermometry based on one-dimensional benzoato-bridged coordination polymers containing lanthanide ions.

Three 1D coordination polymers with benzoate bridges have been assembled in the presence of 18-crown-6-ether (18C6): 1∞[Tb(PhCOO)3(H2O)(EtOH)]·0.5(18C6) 1, 1∞[Eu(PhCOO)3(H2O)2]·0.5(18C6) 2, 1∞[Nd(PhCOO)3(H2O)2]·0.

Evaluation of Dispersion Methods and Mechanical Behaviour of Glass Fibre Composites with Embedded Self-Healing Systems.

The present paper is focused on evaluating the most suitable dispersion method in the epoxy matrix of two self-healing systems containing dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) monomers encapsulated in a urea-formaldehyde (UF) shell, prior to integration, fabrication and impact testing of specimens. Both microstructural analysis and three-point bending tests were performed to evaluate and assess the optimum dispersion method. It was found that ultrasonication damages the microcapsules of both healing systems, thus magnetic stirring was used for the dispersion of both healing systems in the epoxy matrix.

Impact of Proton Beam Irradiation on the Growth and Biochemical Indexes of Barley ( L.) Seedlings Grown under Salt Stress.

The present paper examines the effects of salt stress on the growth, pigments, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant ability of barley ( L.) seedlings raised from proton beam irradiated caryopses. In order to assess the effects of radiation on the early stages of plant growth and analyze its possible influence on the alleviation of salinity, 3 and 5 Gy doses were used on dried barley seeds and germination occurred in the presence/absence of NaCl (100 mM and 200 mM).

Active Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow Moss Biomonitoring of an Industrial Site in Romania: Temporal Variation in the Elemental Content.

The moss-bag transplant technique was used to investigate the kinetics of the accumulation of 38 elements in Sphagnum girgensohni moss samples in the highly polluted municipality of Baia Mare, Romania. The moss samples collected from the unpolluted Vitosha Mountain Natural Reserve, Bulgaria, were analyzed after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months of exposure, respectively. The ANOVA method was used to assay the statistical significance of the observed changes in elemental content, as determined by neutron activation analysis.

Preparation of electromechanically active silicone composites and some evaluations of their suitability for biomedical applications.

Some films based on electromechanically active polymer composites have been prepared. Polydimethylsiloxane-α,ω-diols (PDMSs) having different molecular masses (Mv=60 700 and Mv=44 200) were used as matrix in which two different active fillers were incorporated: titanium dioxide in situ generated from its titanium isopropoxide precursor and silica particles functionalized with polar aminopropyl groups on surface. A reference sample based on simple crosslinked PDMS was also prepared.